PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL STUDY CONCERNING HABITATS WITH FRITILLARIA MELEAGRIS ON THE COURSE OF THE NIRAJUL MARE RIVER (MUREȘ COUNTY, ROMANIA)

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1 PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL STUDY CONCERNING HABITATS WITH FRITILLARIA MELEAGRIS ON THE COURSE OF THE NIRAJUL MARE RIVER (MUREȘ COUNTY, ROMANIA) Erzsébet Domokos*, Beáta Csizmadia, Tímea Elekes Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Botany, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Târgu-Mureș. ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to describe the associations with Frittilaria meleagris populations, and to present the habitats in which are included. Plant community of two associations was attributed to Agrostio stoloniferae-deschampsietum caespitosae Újvárosi 1947 and Frangulo-Salicetum cinereae Graebner et Hueck The phytocoenoses were identified at Valea, Grâușor and Dămieni localities, near Miercurea Nirajului. The qualitative characterization consisted of: spectrum of bioforms and geoelements, analysis of the ecological factors and genetic structure, calculation of altitudinal indices and diploid index. The associations provide shelter for species included in Bern Convention (Narcissus poeticus ssp. radiiflorus), Romanian Red List (Achillea ptarmica, Carex dioica, Fritillaria meleagris, Orchis laxiflora ssp. elegans, Orchis morio ssp. morio), Rare, endangered and endemic plants in Romania's flora-red list (Gladiolus imbricatus, Iris sibirica, etc.), and in the Carpathian List of Endangered Species (e.g Leucojum vernum). Keywords: Fritillaria meleagris, Valea, Grâușor, Dămieni, phytosociological study. INTRODUCTION: The course of the Nirajul Mare River is part of the Special Protection Area (from Natura 2000 network) named Târnavelor Hills-Niraj Valley. The territory is situated in the Easter part of the Niraj-Târnava Mică pedogeographic Region, Miercurea Nirajului-Dămieni Sector (Jakab et Sighișorean, 1983; Orbán, 1991) (Fig. 1). Fig. 1 The studied territory on the course of the Nirajul Mare River (Mureș County, Romania) ( The landscape is specific to an intra-carpathian depression with tectonic nature and plateau features. Altitude varies between 350 and 600 m. Slow or moderate inclinations are dominating. The depression was filled with marl, argil, sand, intercalation of tuff and sandstone, all arranged in domes and wide cuvettes. The most common rocks are loam and argil. In the river meadow, at the base it can be found gravel and boulder trapped in a sandy mass while in the upper layer sand and mud. The meadow part of the Nirajul Mare valley presents aluviosol and hydromorphic soil. On the river terraces different types of chernozems are formed. The study area belongs to the temperate continental climate. The average annual temperature is 8.5 C. The average annual rainfall is 600 mm (Mac, 1972; Josan, 1979; Blaga et al., 2005). Floodplain vegetation, which was once represented by floodplain forests (with Populus sp., Salix. sp. and Alnus glutinosa), is characterized by: narrow strips of shrubs and coppices along the river, meso-hydrophilic Correspondence*: Domokos Erzsébet, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Botany, 38 no. Gheorghe Marinescu St., , Tîrgu Mureș, Romania, Tel. +40-(265) , domokosrzsbet@gmail.com

2 Domokos E, Csizmadia B, Elekes T. and hydrophilic meadows with Agrostis stolonifera, Deschampsia cespitosa, Alopecurus pratensis, Poa trivialis, Festuca pratensis, Carex gracilis, C. acutiformis, and shrubs (Salix purpurea, S. triandra, S. caprea, S. fragilis, S. viminalis) scattered within hayfields (Csűrös, 1963). On the meadows with excessive humidity, shrub clusters of Salix cinerea were found with Fritillaria meleagris (Sămărghiţan et Oroian, 2011). The aims of the present study were: (1) the identification of the associations with F. meleagris populations in the region; (2) the qualitative characterization of these associations; (3) the description of the habitats in which are included. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant communities were described with the phytosociological research method of Central European School, based on the principles and methodology developed by Braun-Blanquet (1964) and adapted by Borza et Boşcaiu (1965) to the features of vegetation cover in our country. In this sense field trips were conducted during the year For describing the qualitative structure of plant communities, the spectrums for bioforms, geoelements, ecological indices and genetic types were elaborated. Altitudinal index (K a ) and diploid index (I.D.) was also calculated (Cristea et al., 2004). For the nomenclature of the taxa, Plante vasculare din România-Determinator ilustrat de teren (Sârbu et al., 2013) was used. The associations presented in this work were included in the phytocoeno-system according to Coldea et al. (2012; 2015) and Sanda et al. (2008). Habitat classification was made according to Doniţă et al. (2005) and Gafta et al. (2008). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The associations with Fritillaria meleagris populations have been included in the following phytocoeno-system (Sanda et al., 2008; Coldea et al., 2012; 2015): Molinio-Arrhenatheretea R. Tx Molinietalia caeruleae W. Koch 1926 Deschampsion caespitosae Horvatić 1930 Agrostio stoloniferae-deschampsietum caespitosae Újvárosi 1947 Alnetea glutinosae Br.-Bl. et Tx Alnetalia glutinosae Tx em. Th. Müll. et Görs 1958 Salicion cinereae Müller et Görs ex Passarge 1961 Frangulo-Salicetum cinereae Graebner et Hueck 1931 The spectrum of bioforms was performed with the Diemont method. As expected, phanerophytes (Ph) dominate in the Grey willow scrubs, and hemicryptophytes in the humid grasslands (Fig. 2a). The calculated values of K a for the association Agrostio stoloniferae-deschampsietum caespitosae and Frangulo-Salicetum cinereae are and 21.15, respectively. These values indicate a mountain area with moderate climate and anthropogenic pressure. In the spectrum of geolements the highest percentage is represented by the Euro-Asian (Euras.) element. European (Eur.) and cold climate specific elements (Circ., Circumpolar) are also well represented (Fig. 2b). Fig. 2 The spectrum of bioforms (a.) and geoelements (b.) of the associations with Frittilaria meleagris populations The spectrum of ecological categories based on edaphic humidity (U) shows that Grey willow scrubs represents a more humid habitat type than the grasslands (Fig. 3a). The spectrum of ecological categories based on temperature (T) indicates that beside euriterm species, plants of hilly and submountainous areas are also predominant (Fig. 3b). 164

3 Phytosociological study concerning habitats with Fritillaria meleagris on the course of the Nirajul Mare river (Mureș county, Romania) Fig. 3 The ecological categories spectrums of the associations with Frittilaria meleagris populations based on edaphic humidity (a.), air temperature (b.) and soil reaction (c.) Regarding the soil reaction euryionic (R x ) species are in higher proportions, followed by neutrophylous species (Fig. 3c). The humid grasslands have an I.D. value of 0.86, slightly higher than the Grey willow scrubs (0.74) (Fig. 4). The value of the diploid index is lower at higher altitudes and also in pioneer or intermediate stage vegetation (Cristea et al., 2004) Fig. 4 The caryologic spectrum of the associations with Frittilaria meleagris populations The Agrostio stoloniferae-deschampsietum caespitosae association (Table 1) forms the habitat type: Dacian communities with Deschampsia caespitosa and Agrostis stolonifera (code R3712), corresponding to Emerald-37.2 Eutrophic humid grasslands, Palearctic Habitats Danubio-Pannonic riverine and humid meadows, Eunis-E2.233 Carpathian submontane hay meadows (Doniță et al., 2005). According to Gafta et al. (2008) the association is indicated as the habitat type NATURA 2000: 6440, corresponding to Palearctic Habitats Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii. This habitat type is of Community Interest, the conservation of which requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation, according to the Habitats Directive. Humid grasslands occupy small areas (about 1-4 ha) adjacent with the yards of the houses or in the vicinity of the localities. The soil is flooded in spring, but becomes dry in summer therefore these habitats are used by locals as hayfields. The Frangulo-Salicetum cinereae association (Table 2) forms the habitat type: Grey willow scrubs (Salix cinerea) with European dewberry (Rubus caesius) (code R4421), corresponding to Corine Grey willow scrub, Palearctic Habitats Grey willow carrs, Eunis-F9.21 Grey willow carrs (Doniță et al., 2005). Grey willow scrubs are present in small patches of about m 2, scattered within the meadows. F. meleagris had a slightly higher abundancedominance value in the Grey willow scrubs (AD: 2-3) than in the humid grasslands (AD: 1-2). Soil-water conditions are important in the establishment and development of the individuals of this species (Csergő et Frink, 2003). The studied associations provide shelter for species included in Bern Convention (Narcissus poeticus ssp. radiiflorus), Romanian Red List (Achillea ptarmica, Carex dioica, Fritillaria meleagris, Orchis laxiflora ssp. elegans, Orchis morio ssp. morio), Rare, endangered and endemic plants in Romania's flora-red list (Carex dioica, Gladiolus imbricatus, Iris sibirica) (Sârbu et al., 2007), and in the Carpathian List of Endangered Species (Carex dioica, Fritillaria meleagris, Iris sibirica, Leucojum vernum, Narcissus poeticus ssp. radiiflorus) (Witkowski et al., 2003). 165

4 Domokos E, Csizmadia B, Elekes T. Tab. 1 Agrostio stoloniferae-deschampsietum caespitosae Újvárosi 1947 Number relevés Altitude (m) Cover herb layer (%) Surface (m 2 ) K Caract. Deschampsia cespitosa V Alopecurus pratensis ssp IV pratensis Cirsium canum IV Myosotis scorpioides III Diff. Carex vulpina V Fritillaria meleagris III Deschampsion caespitosae Agrostis stolonifera ssp. stolonifera IV Oenanthe aquatica V Allium angulosum Molinietalia Sanguisorba officinalis V Symphytum officinale V Lychnis flos-cuculi V Filipendula ulmaria IV Juncus effusus V Stachys officinalis III Colchicum autumnale III Lythrum salicaria II Juncus conglomeratus II Arrhenatheretalia Achillea millefolium V Lotus corniculatus V Leucanthemum vulgare III Trifolium hybridum ssp. hybridum II Knautia arvensis II Daucus carota ssp. carota I Leontodon hispidus ssp. danubialis I Arrhenatherum elatius I Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Ranunculus repens IV Plantago lanceolata V Trifolium pratense ssp. pratense V Lathyrus pratensis IV Holcus lanatus III Festuca rubra III Ranunculus acris ssp. acris II Lysimachia nummularia II Poa pratensis ssp. pratensis II Cardamine pratensis II 166

5 Phytosociological study concerning habitats with Fritillaria meleagris on the course of the Nirajul Mare river (Mureș county, Romania) Rumex acetosa II Rhinanthus minor II Ajuga reptans II Centaurea jacea II Cynosurus cristatus Stellaria graminea I Prunella vulgaris Acomp. Carex acutiformis ssp. acutiformis IV Filipendula vulgaris IV Polygonum bistorta V Iris pseudacorus III Galium verum III Trifolium repens II Galium mollugo III Juncus atratus II Agrostis capillaris ssp. capillaris II Potentilla reptans II Rumex crispus II Orchis laxiflora ssp. elegans II Orchis morio II Ranunculus auricomus II Polygala vulgaris II Centaurea nigrescens ssp. nigrescens I Dianthus carthusianorum II Cruciata laevipes II Veratrum album II Erigeron acris I Leucojum vernum I Equisetum arvense I Thalictrum lucidum I Melilotus officinalis I Potentilla erecta I Briza media I Centaurea phrygia ssp. phrygia Veronica spicata ssp. spicata I I Carex dioica I Allium scorodoprasum I Erigeron annuus ssp I annuus Species found in a single relevé: Ranunculus ficaria (1, +), Viola odorata (3, +), Veronica chamaedris (3, +), Carex acuta ssp. acuta (4, +), Veronica teucrium ssp. teucrium (7, +), Vicia sepium (7, +), Cerastium arvense ssp. arvense (7, +), Trifolium fragiferum ssp. fragiferum (8, +), Veronica longifolia ssp. longifolia (8, +), Ventenata dubia (9, +), Scutellaria hastifolia (9, +), Scutellaria galericulata (9, +), Crepis biennis (10, +), Achillea ptarmica (11, +), Lolium perenne (11, +), Cichorium intybus (12, +), Galium album ssp. album (10, +), Rhinanthus alectorolophus (10, +), Pastinaca sativa ssp. sativa (12, +), Pimpinella saxifraga ssp. saxifraga (12, +), Trisetum flavescens ssp. flavescens (11, +), Mentha pulegium (12, +), Phleum pratense ssp. pratense (12, +), Phragmites australis (12, +), Carex hirta (13, +), Elymus repens ssp. repens (13, +), Centaurium erythraea ssp. erythraea (13, +). Place of relevés: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11-Dămieni; 4, 7, 9, 12-Grâușor; 2, 10, 13-Valea. Date of relevés: IV (1); IV (2); IV (3, 4); V (5); V (6, 7), VI (8-10); VI (11); VII (12, 13). 167

6 Domokos E, Csizmadia B, Elekes T. Table 2 Frangulo-Salicetum cinereae Graebner et Hueck 1931 Number relevés Altitude (m) Cover shrub layer (%) Cover herb layer (%) Surface (m 2 ) K Carct. Frangula alnus IV Viburnum opulus + + I Diff. Fritillaria meleagris II Narcissus poeticus ssp. radiiflorus Salicion cinereae Salix cinerea V Thalictrum lucidum II Galium uliginosum 1 1 I Achillea ptarmica Alnion glutinosae Carex acutiformis ssp. acutiformis V Symphytum officinale II Alnus glutinosa 1 + I Alnetalia glutinosae Ranunculus repens II Solanum dulcamara Alnetea glutinosae Iris pseudacorus II Lythrum salicaria + I Lysimachia vulgaris + + I Caltha palustris ssp. laeta Scutellaria hastifolia Calthion Valeriana officinalis II Myosotis scorpioides + + I Filipendula ulmaria + I Lychnis flos-cuculi Acomp. Crataegus monogyna V Salix fragilis IV Polygonum bistorta V Sanguisorba officinalis V Rubus caesius II Cirsium canum II Stachys officinalis II Achillea millefolium II Lathyrus pratensis II Cornus sanguinea II Quercus robur II Rosa canina II Deschampsia cespitosa II Juncus conglomeratus II Aegopodium podagraria + I Malus sylvestris + + I Holcus lanatus + I Colchicum autumnale + + I Alopecurus pratensis ssp. pratensis + I Carex vulpina + I Oenanthe aquatica + + I Allium angulosum + + I Galium verum + I Humulus lupulus + I Petasites hybridus + I 168

7 Phytosociological study concerning habitats with Fritillaria meleagris on the course of the Nirajul Mare river (Mureș county, Romania Centaurea nigrescens ssp. nigrescens + I Lysimachia nummularia + I Iris sibirica + I Agrostis stolonifera ssp. stolonifera Juncus effusus Ranunculus acris ssp. acris Stellaria graminea Acer campestre + 1 I Geum urbanum Prunus spinosa Conium maculatum Filipendula vulgaris Erigeron acris ssp. acris Euonymus europaeus 2 + I Campanula patula Artemisia vulgaris Phragmites australis Vicia cracca Veratrum album Veronica longifolia ssp. longifolia Salix triandra Ranunculus ficaria Species found in a single relevé: Anemone nemorosa ssp. nemorosa (1, +), Polygonatum multiflorum (1, +), Lotus corniculatus (4, +), Prunus padus (4, +), Galium aparine (4, +), Lamium purpureum (4, +), Galium mollugo (6, +), Galium album (6, +), Echinocystis lobata (6, +), Carex acuta ssp. acuta (7, +), Sambucus nigra (7, +), Equisetum arvense (8, +), Inula britannica (8, +), Pyrus pyraster (8, +), Agrimonia eupatoria (8, +), Ranunculus auricomus (8, +), Prunus avium (8, +), Gladiolus imbricatus (9, +), Poa trivialis ssp. trivialis (10, +), Rumex acetosa (10, +), Echynocistis lobata (10, +), Geum aleppicum (10, +), Knautia arvensis (10, +), Bromus arvensis ssp. arvensis (10, +), Centaurea phrygia ssp. phrygia (10, +), Juncus atratus (10, +), Urtica dioica (10, +), Potentilla erecta (10, +), Galium boreale (10, +), Lythrum virgatum (10, +), Calystegia sepium (11, +), Ligustrum vulgare (11, +), Galeopsis speciosa (11, +), Dipsacus fullonum (11, +). Place of relevés: 1, 4, 7, 11-Dămieni; 2, 5, 6, 8, 10- Grâușor; 3, 9-between Grâușor and Dămieni. Date of relevés: IV (1, 2); IV (3); V (4); VI (5-7); VI (8); VI (9); VII (10); VIII (11). CONCLUSIONS: The vascular plant species richness has almost the same values in the two associations: Agrostio stoloniferae-deschampsietum caespitosae-101 vascular plant species and Frangulo-Salicetum cinereae-103 vascular plant species. The spectrum of bioforms shows the dominance of phanerophytes / hemicryptophytes and helohidatophytes. The altitudinal indices denote a mountain area with moderate climate and anthropogenic pressure. In the spectrum of geoelements cold climate specific elements (Circ.) are also well represented. The spectrum of ecological categories based on edaphic humidity shows that Grey willow scrubs represents a more humid habitat type than the grasslands. The spectrum of ecological categories based on temperature presents that plants of hilly and sub-mountainous areas are in high number. The low values of the diploid indices show the pioneer or intermediate stage of the vegetation. In the Nirajul Mare River valley consistent populations of F. meleagris were found. To reveal additional information on the ecology and population structure of F. meleagris further investigations are necessary. Beside F. meleagris, a considerable number of other red list species were identified. Taking into consideration the botanical importance of the humid grasslands and Grey willow scrubs from the course of Nirajul Mare River we propose the establishment of a Special Area of Conservation in this region. In case of humid grasslands it is also recommended: grass moving one time per year (in late summer); to avoid grazing and drainage works; not to use chemicals for fertilization. REFERENCES: Blaga Gh, Filipov F, Rusu I, Pedologie-Manual Universitar. Ed. Academic Press, Cluj-Napoca, Coldea Gh. (ed.), Les associations vegetales de Roumanie, Tome 2: Les associations anthropogènes. Presa Universitară Clujeană, Cluj-Napoca, Coldea Gh. (ed.), Les associations vegetales de Roumanie, Tome 3: Les associations forestiéres et arbustives. Presa Universitară Clujeană, Cluj- Napoca,

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